Zero Carbon

More than 53 million passengers traveled through SFO last year. While the number of passengers continues to grow, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the Airport's operations are in steady decline. In Fiscal Year 2015/2016 (July through June), SFO’s Commission-controlled GHG emissions totaled 21,377 tons, or 33% below the 1990 baseline emission levels. This estimate accounts for a 121 ton offset from CO2-capturing trees and shrubs on the SFO campus. The Airport also continues to voluntarily mitigate more than 350% of its GHG emissions by partnering with the tenants, service providers and local community.

+ MAPPINGFootprint measurement

+ REDUCTIONCarbon management towards a reduced carbon footprint

+ OPTIMISATIONThird party engagement in carbon footprint reduction

+ NEUTRALITYCarbon neutrality for direct emission by offsetting

The SFO Airport Commission continues to vigorously support the City’s ambitious climate change initiatives and has established a strategic goal to achieve carbon neutrality for Commission-controlled operations by 2021. SFO is a leader among airports in climate action. In July 2016, Airports Council International awarded the Airport Level 3 (Optimization) certification under the internationally recognized Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. Administered by the Airports Council International (ACI – Europe), the ACA program is based on the World Resources Institute’s “Greenhouse Gas Protocol” and confirms rigorous third-party validation of SFO's carbon footprint over the past four years. To date, SFO is one of just four airports in North America to have achieved such an advanced certification which recognizes its progress and collaborative commitment to reducing GHG emissions and energy consumption from operations across the Airport. The Airport continues to strive for carbon neutrality at SFO, and thus aims to achieve recognition at the ACA program’s highest accreditation (Level 3+) by 2021.

GOAL:Achieve carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, from a 1990 baseline, by 2021.

STATUS:Having reduced the emissions to 33% below 1990 levels in Fiscal Year 2015/2016, SFO has already met the City’s 2017 goal of reducing GHG emissions by 25% below the 1990 baseline emissions. As shown in our most recent carbon disclosure report, SFO is on track to meet the City’s goal of reducing emissions by 40% from 1990 baseline levels by 2025.

ACTIONS:SFO has identified the following initiatives that serve as the Airport’s roadmap to zero carbon, and in many cases also zero net energy, transit first, and zero net water use initiatives. This is represented by the Airport’s emissions scopes that focuses on those within its operational control and those that are dependent upon partnerships with tenants and operators: